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Hopes of an immediate fodder scheme have been ruled out by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed.
Minister Creed met with the IFA on Tuesday, where he instead committed to the establishment of a fodder action group to assess the fodder shortage situation.
The group, which will meet next week, will be composed of the Department of Agriculture, Teagasc, dairy co-ops, marts as well as the IFA.
While farmers will see the establishment of such as group as a positive, it will come as little solace to those farmers who are witnessing a shortage of fodder immediately.
Heavy rain since the summer led to cows being housed early and fodder stocks becoming depleted. The situation is most acute in the west and northwest.
Voucher system rejected
The IFA contingent raised the proposal of introducing a voucher system to help farmers low on cash to buy fodder or meal, but this was rejected by the Department of Agriculture in the short term.
IFA president Joe Healy, along with the IFA regional chairs and chairs from Connacht, Donegal and Longford met with Minister Creed.
“The deepening fodder problems will have to be addressed, with measures to help those farmers who urgently need support to avert a crisis,” Joe Healy said after the meeting.
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